Published: Monday, December 10, 2012 at 8:34 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, December 10, 2012 at 8:34 p.m.

A Terrebonne Parish resident has been honored with a prestigious award for her years of commitment to volunteerism.

Houma native Pauline Dillie, 73, received the 2012 Louisiana AARP Andrus Award for Community Service Monday morning at St. Bernadette Church's Herbert Hall in Houma.

The Andrus Award is given annually by state AARP chapters to those within their ranks who devote countless hours to volunteer and community service work.

“It takes a person of confidence to impact the lives of others, and Pauline is undaunted by these challenges and possibly thrives on them,” said Kathleen Cuneo, president of Terrebonne Parish's AARP Chapter 988. “When the calls come in, Pauline goes out.”

Dillie has five children and 10 grandchildren. She said she has been volunteering for most of her life. Among the many organizations Dillie volunteers for are the American Red Cross, The Blue Star Mothers, Terrebonne Churches, United Good Samaritan Food Bank, the Terrebonne AARP and St. Bernadette Catholic Church.

The Andrus Award was created in honor of AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus and stems from Andrus' motto, “to serve, not to be served,” according to AARP's website.

“Ms. Pauline Dillie is one of Terrebonne Parish's true treasures,” said Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet. “Her great work and selflessness is an inspiration to me and everyone in our great community.”

Dillie, at first, was not interested in being selected for the award.

“I don't volunteer the way that I do for the publicity. I do this because I love to volunteer,” she said. “But it was a wonderful presentation.”

Dillie said she gets just as much out of volunteering as she puts in.

“I love helping other people because it gives you personal satisfaction.”

Even in her later years, Dillie is stilling coming up with creative ways to impact others.

In Morgan City last summer, when the power went out for many residents after an electricity plant explosion, Dillie, along with the American Red Cross, gave out water to residents at the air-conditioned municipal auditorium to provide temporary relief from the heat, Dillie said.

“Pauline is quite a model of the volunteer,” Cueno said. “(She) goes out for disasters in the area, whether it be floods, fire or hurricanes, and provides (people) with some of the basic necessities.”

Dillie said volunteering takes discipline and dedication “because you can always say no.”

Some people are leery about volunteering because they aren't sure how, she said.

“It's not going to knock on your door. You have to go seek it.”

There are many community projects that need help all-year-round, she said.

“There is no reason for people to ever say, ‘I'm bored and I don't have anything to do.'”

Dillie said she will continue her commitments as a volunteer for as long as she is able.

“As long as my health keeps up, I don't see myself stopping.”

Staff Writer Chance Ryan can be reached at 857-2209 or chance.ryan@houmatoday.com

<p>A Terrebonne Parish resident has been honored with a prestigious award for her years of commitment to volunteerism. </p><p>Houma native Pauline Dillie, 73, received the 2012 Louisiana AARP Andrus Award for Community Service Monday morning at St. Bernadette Church's Herbert Hall in Houma. </p><p>The Andrus Award is given annually by state AARP chapters to those within their ranks who devote countless hours to volunteer and community service work.</p><p>“It takes a person of confidence to impact the lives of others, and Pauline is undaunted by these challenges and possibly thrives on them,” said Kathleen Cuneo, president of Terrebonne Parish's AARP Chapter 988. “When the calls come in, Pauline goes out.” </p><p>Dillie has five children and 10 grandchildren. She said she has been volunteering for most of her life. Among the many organizations Dillie volunteers for are the American Red Cross, The Blue Star Mothers, Terrebonne Churches, United Good Samaritan Food Bank, the Terrebonne AARP and St. Bernadette Catholic Church. </p><p>The Andrus Award was created in honor of AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus and stems from Andrus' motto, “to serve, not to be served,” according to AARP's website. </p><p>“Ms. Pauline Dillie is one of Terrebonne Parish's true treasures,” said Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet. “Her great work and selflessness is an inspiration to me and everyone in our great community.”</p><p>Dillie, at first, was not interested in being selected for the award. </p><p>“I don't volunteer the way that I do for the publicity. I do this because I love to volunteer,” she said. “But it was a wonderful presentation.”</p><p>Dillie said she gets just as much out of volunteering as she puts in.</p><p>“I love helping other people because it gives you personal satisfaction.”</p><p>Even in her later years, Dillie is stilling coming up with creative ways to impact others. </p><p>In Morgan City last summer, when the power went out for many residents after an electricity plant explosion, Dillie, along with the American Red Cross, gave out water to residents at the air-conditioned municipal auditorium to provide temporary relief from the heat, Dillie said. </p><p>“Pauline is quite a model of the volunteer,” Cueno said. “(She) goes out for disasters in the area, whether it be floods, fire or hurricanes, and provides (people) with some of the basic necessities.”</p><p>Dillie said volunteering takes discipline and dedication “because you can always say no.” </p><p>Some people are leery about volunteering because they aren't sure how, she said.</p><p>“It's not going to knock on your door. You have to go seek it.”</p><p>There are many community projects that need help all-year-round, she said.</p><p>“There is no reason for people to ever say, 'I'm bored and I don't have anything to do.'”</p><p>Dillie said she will continue her commitments as a volunteer for as long as she is able. </p><p>“As long as my health keeps up, I don't see myself stopping.”</p><p>Staff Writer Chance Ryan can be reached at 857-2209 or chance.ryan@houmatoday.com</p>